He used to love his crib, and I got him to a point where i could lay him down when he was sleepy, but still awake... and he'd go to sleep just fine. Well, the past couple of weeks, he now has to be held to sleep, and sometimes we'll take him up and lay him down, and as soon as we lay him down, he arches his back and cries. Tonight scared me though because I let him cry for 15 min. went to check on him, kissed him, told him firmly it was ni nite time, and laid him back down. Well, when I got to the bottom of the stairs, I heard a thud... he had fallen out of his crib! I don't know what to do now! (the floor is carpeted, and nothing where he would fall)... I added a bunch of pillows, rocked him to sleep, put him down, in 2 seconds he was up crying... let him cry a little more- not too long, and he fell out again. Now what should I do? I really am not a believer in the cry-it -out, but rocking him to sleep is not doing it either. I'm crying myself right now, I want him to be safe.
2007-01-15 15:20:53 · 13 answers · asked by m930 5 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
The crib is at the lowest level-forgot to add that... also, we have a fish tank that adds light, and he used to love looking at it before he fell asleep. I also have no clue if it's too early for a toddler bed? We have one that is on the floor, I just feel he'd get off of it, and scream at the gate we have put up blocking his room off so he won't go down the stairs. Not really sure what to do either way.
2007-01-15 15:29:09 · update #1
It might be time to be finished with the crib if he's climbing over the rails. You can simply put the mattress on the floor if you don't have a toddler bed, and then he can't hurt himself. Maybe you could ease him back into sleeping by himself by lying beside him for a while. Good luck.
2007-01-15 15:29:41 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
My daughter did that too for the longest time, I had an extra crib mattress and I put it next to the bed just in case after it she fell out, but I don't know if you did this, we put the crib on the very lowest level it could go so she couldn't get out, maybe a night light would help, it ussualy kept my daughter up, but he could be scared of something... With kids you never know. I also sat with my daughter in her room for awhile and would read with her until she calmed down. Hope this helps a little.
2007-01-15 15:25:26 · answer #2 · answered by Dana V 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Although not quite as extreme my b/g twins have been protesting going to sleep on their own as well lately. But they have 2-4 back teeth coming in all together, so I don't blame them for having trouble going to sleep!
When they were younger I didn't want to let my twins cry it out either, but I couldn't rock them both at the same time, so I would put them in their cribs and lie down next to the cribs (alongside one and my head at the other) and sing, make coo-ing sounds, talk to them, etc as they put themselves to sleep. then I started leaving the room earlier and earlier. That totaly works and for months now they are wonderful sleepers. when they started teething again recently, I realized I needed to do this again, and it totally helps to have me next to them. Sometimes I fall asleep before they do, then wake up 30 mins later to the sound of them sleeping. It's quite nice. When I think they're feeling better then I'll start leaving the room earlier again.
(i keep a spare crib mattress under one of the cribs and pull it out and lie on it... it's quite comfortable!).
Good luck,
Louisa
2007-01-16 01:25:10 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask your doctor the best methods--
I had the same problem with my son. Here's what I did - I got a rocking chair and sat beside his crib and talked gently, sung, read aloud...whatever -just so he knew I was there---If he cried I would just talk to him softly and NOT pick him up and NOT touch him in any way--he soon got the hint and thats what i did for several weeks. I then started playin music-lullabyes on a CD-and still stayed in with him...I slowly weaned him off of my presents by taking trips to the bathroom, letting the water run so he knew I was near by...Slowly but surely he learned to go to sleep by himself... Your son is getting old enough to have fears of being alone...be patient with him..he will get it ....
Hugs
Aero
2007-01-15 15:30:25 · answer #4 · answered by Aero-Smith 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm having the same problem with my 15 mo. old, it must be a stage. Lately I have tried waking earlier, cutting back on nap time (even though that is MY time) and trying to set more of a bedtime routine, he had snack, a bath, 1\2 hr. playtime, a bedtime story and he was ready for bed and went right to sleep. I am still laying down with him until we get this "routine" established, but at least we're not playing, screaming, crying and such anymore. At least for now.
I also have one of those music makers that lights up the ceiling, it calms him if he gets fussy...........sometimes.............lol.
Dont worry mama, you will work it out........Good Luck!!!
2007-01-15 18:36:18 · answer #5 · answered by Spokette 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Man, I remember going through this ( 2kids now aged 5 and 12). I cried more than a few times while trying to get them to stay in bed. Tough as it sounds, it only takes a few nights of letting them cry before they get the message that its bedtime.
If you need to go check on him, don't go in while he is in full wail mode, but try to wait for a lull so you are rewarding and responding to him being quiet, rather than giving him attention when he does the behavior you are trying to stop. Gentle firmness will eventually win the battle. Be strong and courageous!
2007-01-15 15:29:13 · answer #6 · answered by jomolow 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
gentle but firm . first raise the level of the mattress and lower the side of the crib so that he can climb out without falling ! ! then read to him and sing to him, put him into bed and leave the room. the aquarium is a good night light. close the door so he cannot see you. he will come to the door, but gently and firmly tell him its time to sleep and put him back to bed and leave. dont get suckered in by his crying. he knows you'll come when he cries. He'll soon get bored. it will take a few days, but it will work. stick to your guns. watch NANNY 911 if you can she has great skills and tricks that work
2007-01-15 15:58:32 · answer #7 · answered by ogopogo 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
My son cut some terrible huge molars at 15 months, barely slept so perhaps he's going through that. I know of lots of mothers who transition their child to a toddler bed at 15 months. They also make crib tents like this http://www.securebaby.com/crib_tents_all.html if you worry about him falling out. Best of luck to you, sorry if I don't have the greatest advice-we cosleep!
2007-01-15 15:31:22 · answer #8 · answered by me 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
now that he is a bit older
maybe he doesn't like being barred up in the crib
maybe it scares him
let him sleep in the toddler bed and see what happens
2007-01-15 15:49:57 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would either rock him or lay down with him until he fell asleep... it's a pain... but hopefully it's just a phase. They're only this small once.
2007-01-15 15:33:34 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋